the virginia governor is now apologizing for a mistake in his words, a major omission. >> reporter: virginia is known for its civil war battlefield, its capital, richmond, was the capital of the confederacy, but now a new battle over that legacy. virginia republican governor, bob mcdonnell, has declared april confederate history month. >> i wanted to focus on primarily the -- the role of the confederate veterans. >> reporter: the proclamation reads in part, quote, it is important for all virginians to reflect upon our commonwealth shared history, to understand the sacrifices of the confederate leaders, soldiers and citizens during the period of the civil war. but glaringly absent, any reference of slavery. civil rights advocates accuse the governor of trying to, quote, whitewash history. >> to, you know, not take even a second to acknowledge that the civil war, you know, the main purpose of it, the main reason for the, you know -- for that fire that burned across this country was the south's refusal to let go of slavery, which is a deep and abiding crime against humanity, does suggest that h